If you haven't read or watched it, then take your own risk since there might be spoilers. But if you totally don't care then read my own opinion about it.
Talk of the town since it was released end of March and I'm very much aware that the book was released years ago and it's been sitting on my iBooks for years now too.
I gave in obviously, out of curiosity even I always prefer the book, I gave this a try since it's a series and not a movie. A movie usually don't give justice to a book but series can since it's per episode.
I will try to read the book since I'm already done with the series but I just want to let out my thoughts about it.
13 Reasons Why is somehow disturbing.
I'm unsure on where this is going. When I was watching it I really want to write something about it and I don't know what to call it if it was my personal opinion or comment, violent reaction on the TV series or me discussing suicide. So yeah, wherever this post will go.
One lesson that I want to discuss first is that, be kind to each other. The way we treat other people, we don't have any idea on what are the effect of it to them or on what they are currently going through. Always say "thank you" and sometimes it's okay to say you are "sorry" even it contradict the "don't apologize it's a sign of weakness", it's also okay at least to compliment something to a person even it's just a little thing and lastly, if you don't have any good thing to say just shut the fuck up. At least by shutting off, you will not make a damage and you will not spread negativity.
First and foremost, suicide is not the answer.
Suicide is not the answer for you problem, it is not going to help you escape life.
Life, all we got to do is deal with it no matter its just so sad that some people really can't handle the reality.
The character of Hannah doesn't give justice to what was her personality. The actress who played her role got a strong personality inside and out. I think that's good because as her appearance who would have thought that she will end her life? But the way she interact with people is also not on a suicidal category. It was not right because it contradict a lot of things in so many ways.
Can we all just stop for a second and ask her how was she able to cut herself the way she did it?
It's so unreal, to be honest.
The effort of doing the tapes, wow. And leaving those tapes and make her schoolmates listen to them for what? for them to feel guilty or to feel sorry for themselves? I don't get her reasons in there why not just continue living then just do some revenge because getting just revenge is very far on suicidal thoughts. How can you handle that you will not able to see the ending of whatever you started? Well, maybe it will not totally work since it will not make such noise because it didn't cost someone's life. At the end of the day, it still her own decision to end her life.
But I'm intrigued was Hannah really saying the truth about these people? If yes, her reasons are very much not a suicidal thoughts at least not there yet at the peak where she will just do it and don't care whatever the outcome will be. Bullying and sexual assault are not just her main reason. It should have shown how Hannah process all of it after specific scenario happened like what she thinks after the night at the park with Justin? The hours after she hangout with Jessica and Alex? Her recording it days or week later doesn't seem right when you are feeling down or angry. As if she recorded some tapes a night or maybe a diary because it will be different she could have elaborate it more. You can't even feel that she's angry while recording the tapes (was it bad acting?) she should be angry right? Or at least maybe cry while recalls what she was saying but she was just so relaxed while recording / narrating it. Yes there are actual moment where we see her in a current situation but we didn't see a glimpse of her hours after just on the last episode when she about to do it.
The reaction of Clay is not good. See you, pass it on to someone who barely can't handle listening to your voice and to your reasons since probably his first question too is "Why am I listening to this?" and "What should I do with this?". Did she ever think of that? Probably, no. If Clay did good to you why not give him a letter or his own tape ahead from anyone on why this and that and probably just say "sorry" and making sure that he's not a reason for why you did it? If Clay admit that he likes Hannah will it change her decision?
There's really a good and a bad side to the show. You think it's just a teenage drama series but it takes us all to another level of awareness whether you are an adult or a teenager. Since it will make people aware on what are the current issues in high school or the current surrounding of teenagers because it's too far from what the experience of our parents. Hopefully it will also bring awareness to school and to kids who are in high school to prevent such weak move. If your kids will be watching this please supervise them so you will be able to make discussion about it and let them know that suicide is not okay, its not the solution.
Having a few knowledge about psychology, it really contradict something and all suicidal are not like Hannah. It feels like her story was told from someone who didn't think of the other side of the situation in short, a person who is just a self-centered, selfish and just want some instant escape.
Also Hannah is an only child, attention shouldn't be a problem most especially in school since it should be showered by her parents at the first place.
As I said, her reasons are not as valid as it can be. You might think that those persons are the only reason on why she did it but when you think and ask further on why, it will take us back to maybe her childhood or maybe on the previous states that they've been and it took me to her parents.
I'll focus on her parents, I was somehow pissed to her mom because she can't accept it and that she thinks the reason is just at school when all of it can start at home. Hannah, you really should have leave a letter most especially to your parents. Notice when her mom was so strict while she was doing her homework?
Pushing it to legal matters will not bring Hannah back and will it give closure to everyone? Will her parents be happy enough if they won and the school will pay them? Will it be okay when they get the money but they can't have their daughter back? Bullying is one reason but I don't think that the school is fully responsible to each students and their own action most especially if the school does have 30-60 students per class.
Parents, if you think you know your kids think again. Don't just assume that they're okay because you don't know everything but even without knowing, just let them feel that they are loved, that no matter what happen you got them and they should have a safe place at home, always.
Ending your life will not be a solution and you will not be able to take with you your problems. You will just pass it on to the love ones that you will left behind. Do you think it's fair to pass them the problems while they are suffering with losing you and not giving them any idea on how you did it? Most especially do you think your parents can handle all of it all at once?
Don't be selfish, we all have our off days. Don't just think it's just happening to you put yourself out there you will realize that what you've been going through is just a minimal compare to what other got on their plate.
Talk to friends about it, find an outlet where you can release the stress like write on a diary or blog about it. There are so many ways to release such thing you just gotta appreciate life and know what you want to do. There's more to life than what you think and remember some people who are sick are fighting to have another day, a week, a month or even a year while you just want to end yours.
Live life to the fullest, it's beautiful with all the struggle and genuine happiness is real.
The series was renewed for Season 2 and I hope with all the questions and issues that came out from different viewers will be answered. Personally, I hope to see how it affect everyone who was in the tapes, how her parents reacted when they listen to every tape and I somehow wish that Hannah still got a hidden box or letter that will explain it further at least for her parents and maybe Clay. I also want a preview on her childhood or their life before moving in the current state. A lot of things that I want to see on Season 2 and hopefully we get all the answers that we want. Despite of the issue this series got, I agree to have Season 2 so some things can be explained further and maybe give closure to a lot of things since I think expanding it to Season 3 will be out of context. Who knows, so let us all wait for Season 2 and let us help each other to not choose suicide as an escape.
